BBCArabic TV invites job applications

BBBC World Service is inviting applications for senior editorial positions at its planned new Arabic television service.

BBBC World Service is inviting applications for senior editorial positions at its planned new Arabic television service. Applications for editorial jobs can be made through www.bbc.co.uk/jobs. Other journalist and technical roles will be advertised later this year. “We’ll be initially recruiting output editors and one for news-gathering,” said Salah Negm, who has joined the channel as news editor. “BBC Arabic Television will have broad appeal - free from commercial, political and religious affiliations or pressures. We are now looking for the key senior staff to help us turn this vision into an exciting reality.” According Negm, the launch is part of a wider vision to introduce a multi-media BBC Arabic Service, made up of online, radio and TV. BBC Arabic Television will initially broadcast for 12 hours a day; BBC news and information in audio and text format in Arabic is planned for the remaining 12 hours of the day on the channel. Audience research in seven capital cities across the Arab region indicates that between 80 and 90% of those surveyed would be ‘very likely’ or ‘fairly likely’ to tune in. The measured weekly audience for BBC Arabic radio is over 12 million and bbcarabic.com is believed to be one of the region’s most visited web sites. The TV channel’s operating cost of UK £19 million a year will come from existing grant-in-aid funding from the UK government. The newly redeveloped Broadcasting House, the BBC’s central London headquarters, will be the home of the service. BBC Arabic Television is currently set to launch in autumn 2007.